Etihad Airways, the
national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is supporting one of India’s
leading inbound tourism events next month as exclusive airline partner of the
Great Indian Travel Bazaar.

The airline will fly leading
tour operators and travel buyers from around the world and also participate in the
annual travel event taking place in the state’s capital city of Jaipur between
April 17 and 19.

The three-day showcase
is organised by the Indian Ministry of Tourism, Department of Tourism at the Government
of Rajasthan, and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FICCI).

Support for the Great
Indian Travel Bazaar is a key part of Etihad Airways’ commitment to promote
India as a leading tourism destination worldwide.

Around 300 international
travel industry buyers will converge on the ‘Pink City’ for three days of
business meetings and product updates from around 250 Indian tourism entities
keen to promote their latest wares. Etihad Airways will be flying visitors from
destinations in North and South America, Europe and the Middle East.

Partnering with Jet
Airways in the trade exhibition, Etihad Airways will promote the ease of
travelling to India through the UAE carrier’s Abu Dhabi hub with their combined
network of over 250 flights each week across 15 Indian cities. Together, the
two carriers have the largest share of the international air travel market to
and from India carrying one in every five travellers.

“We are delighted to bring some of our most valued
travel partners from around the world to India to attend the Great Indian
Travel Bazaar and experience a diverse nation under one roof in Jaipur,
together with wonderful Rajasthani hospitality,” said Shane O’Hare, Etihad Airways Senior Vice President Marketing.

“Etihad Airways is committed to further developing India’s
tourism economy and investing in jobs. The Indian and Rajasthan governments
have set an example by attracting key players from the international travel
trade community for three days of intensive business discussions in a region
that has successfully promoted tourism to the world for many years, and benefited
from considerable spin-offs for the local economy.”

Through B2B meetings,
the Great Indian Travel Bazaar is expected to generate significant leads and
opportunities for buyers and sellers looking to develop new business for this
year and beyond. The event will feature exhibitors covering a broad spectrum of
travel segments, including heritage, adventure, wildlife, healthcare, leisure,
eco-rural, pilgrimage, and the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition
sector (MICE).

Now in its eighth
edition, the bazaar attracts regional tourist boards from across India, as well
as hotel chains and destination management companies.